Tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas

ABSTRACT

An awning used to cover outdoor areas and to protect same from inclement weather. The awning can be transported and erected with ease and is also versatile as a result of the modular structural design thereof, which has a small number of components, including rods and suction cups for the rods. In addition to being lightweight and non-complex, this allows the structure to be adapted to various uses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas designed to protect against solar radiation during outdoor activities. This device consists in a shading structure whose support rods can be firmly fixed on the walls of swimming pools or even on a horizontal flat ground.

STATE OF THE ART DESCRIPTION

The widespread change of the modern population from a rural to an urban environment has led to a certain standardization of social habits, in particular those intended for recreation in group. It has become very common for individuals living in large cities to devote a good part of their free time to periods of family recreation in open areas and, frequently, in the presence of swimming pools. In order to be able to enjoy such moments without inconvenience, effective protection against solar radiation is highly recommended, especially in times and regions with higher solar incidence. One of the simplest forms of protection against the sun's rays is to physically, block their passage, preventing them from reaching people's skin. Roofs, umbrellas, awnings, tents, etc., have fulfilled this function over time. However, mobile covers are not, in general, designed to be used inside swimming pools, and when they are, they do not have an efficient way of fixation and stabilization therein.

The present invention proposes to be a practical and simple solution to such demand. Some devices bear a certain similarity to the current invention, such as the one disclosed in the patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,706. This document protects an invention consisting of a large movable table-shaped structure that supports a retractable fabric cover. This structure can be moved by means of wheels and can also be fixed in the desired place, over the swimming pool, through suction cups that adhere to the floor that surrounds it. Although this device fulfills the function of producing a protective shade over the swimming pool, it is a large and heavy structure; besides, it is difficult to be assembled, when compared to the model analyzed here. In addition, the attachment method also differs from the present one. While the structure described in the prior art can be stabilized by suction cups located on each of its four legs, which must adhere to the horizontal surface, located next to the swimming pool, the present invention is meant to be attached to the inner vertical walls of a swimming pool.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,059B1 refers to a device of multiple use whose main characteristic is to be able to be fixed by means of strong suction cups on any flat and smooth surface, (either horizontally or vertically). What allows this application flexibility is the fact that it consists of a fixed part and a movable part, interchangeable. The fixed part consisting of at least one rod with a suction cup at one of its ends, and to the other, several vertical rods can be fitted, and they can carry volleyball nets, basketball hoops, banners and, even, parasols. Although similar, especially regarding to fixing with suction cups, this device does not present the specific concept of a structure that, with four or two rods as a base, covers a certain area providing shading, as the invention proposes. Thus, it is clear that the big difference is that the document U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,059B1 has only a generic application, making no reference to the concept of the structure presented in the present application.

Also in line with the previous document, there is the document U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,540. The technology shown in this document consists of a suction cup, connection and support for rods. The high suction cup can be placed on almost any surface, as long as it is smooth and flat, which can be dry or wet. Rods can be attached to it for the most diverse purposes, such as support for volleyball nets, parasols, etc. Like the U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,059B1 device, the focus of the invention is only on the fixing element, that is, the suction cup.

Other devices have a different concept to offer protection in swimming pools. The artifact described in US2010/0186793A1 consists of an articulated structure in a semi-spherical shape covered by a netting. One of the distinguishing features of the invention, and the main difference with respect to the current invention, is its mobility, since it does not comprise any fixing element to any substrate, such as a wall or floor. The structure is designed to float with the convex side up, providing protection and shade to the individuals under its perimeter.

Finally, US2005/0011134A1 discloses a device consisting of a parasol which, by means of telescopic rods, can be firmly stuck in the ground. One end of the rods is connected to the upper part of the parasol structure, while the other ends are fixed to the ground. The final structure has the appearance of a dome in which the upper part is the original parasol. Although the exterior appearance is similar to the invention presented here, its structure and assembly are more complex and the covered area is considerably smaller.

Thus, the present invention represents an innovative improvement for the current structures designed to protect against the sun and other bad weather, common in open areas.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention aims to offer an improvement to the current sun protection equipment for recreation areas exposed to the environment.

The innovation lies mainly in the greater practicality for transporting and assembling the structure due to the simplicity of installation, lightness and small number of components.

A second purpose of this invention is to provide greater versatility to the equipment. The modular structure concept formed by a series of threaded rods allows tents of different sizes to be set up, adapting them to the extension of the area to be covered. In addition, it is possible to use it in different situations, on grass, earth or even over swimming pools using suction cups. Thus, innovation intends, with the same product, to allow its use according to the need of the circumstance, discarding the requirement of several devices for each different application.

Finally, the present invention also aims to reduce production costs, due to the simplicity of the apparatus, which is reflected in the small number of parts and the low final weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas in general. It consists of a structure composed of tubular rods that, when fitted and threaded, form long, articulated and detachable rods, at whose lower ends at least one suction cup is attached to each rod; the suction cups are capable of operating in submerged or dry conditions and are also capable of attaching the entire structure to one or more internal faces of a swimming pool.

In one of the versions, the tent is characterized by having a dome-shaped structure composed of four large equal rods, articulated and flexed in the shape of an arc, whose upper ends are joined by a fixing element, forming the top of the dome; said top of the dome comprising a flexible and opaque fabric; the other four lower ends are fixed to the side walls of a swimming pool using suction cups, forming the horizontal base of the structure.

In another version of the model, intended to be used on the ground, there are no suction cups, since the lower ends of the rods are introduced directly into the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—The figure reveals the tent for outdoor areas, with the detail for the eyelet of the X-shaped ribbon and the ring for fixing the elastic.

FIG. 2—View of the tent in its version with suction cups for the swimming pool cover.

FIG. 3—View of the installed swimming pool tent.

FIG. 4—Swimming pool tent already set up on site. This cover is equipped with only two rods and a horizontal fabric over the structure.

FIG. 5—Side view of the two-rods tent revealing the perpendicular angle between the second segments and the internal wall of the swimming pool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a swimming poor cover, but it can also be installed in open areas such as gardens, fields, etc. The cover consists of a dome-shaped tent, the structure of which comprises a set of long four rods 3, which are formed by a set of small tubular rods 9 threaded one behind the other. The number of rods 9 varies according to the size of the structure to be lifted. The four rods 3 are curved in the shape of an arc and held together at one end by a connector, forming the top of the cover 1, which is covered by a fabric 2 that blocks the passage of sunlight. The base of the structure is formed by the lower ends 7 of the rods. Each of these four ends is coupled to a suction cup 10, therefore there is at least one cup for each rod. Designed to act both on a dry, wet or even submerged surface, they are intended to firmly fix the entire structure on the walls of the swimming pool, preferably vertical, of swimming pools. The fabric 2 covering the upper part of the structure is kept under tension by means of at least four elastics 5, the ends of which connect, under tension, the fabric 2 to each lower end 7 of the rods or to each suction cup 10.

A second version of the tent is designed to be used on land, preferably outdoors, in open gardens or fields. In this version of the tent, the four suction cups are absent and the lower ends 7 of the rods, which may receive some accessory, are introduced directly into the ground, at a depth that allows the structure to stabilize. The assembly of the tent can be aided by an X-shaped ribbon 8 that is placed open and extended over the ground, demarcating the area that will be occupied by the structure. Each of the four ends of the ribbon, provided with an eyelet 6, is passed through the lower end 7 of each rod, which is then driven into the ground. The elastics 5 that hold the fabric 2 to the top of the cover are tied, at its upper ends, to the fabric 2, and, in the lower ones to rings 4 fixed at the lower ends 7 of the rods directly or by means of accessories.

In another embodiment, the structure may consist of a horizontal covering of fabric 11 supported by only two L-shaped rods. The rods comprise two segments, a first 13 and a second 12, joined at one end in order to form an angle of 90° 15 to each other. The rods are joined by their first segments 13 by a pivot point 14 that allows the rotation of one rod in relation to another in a plane parallel to the internal face of the swimming pool. Each first segment 13 comprising a lower tip 16 opposite the interface with the second segment, such tip being inserted in a suction cup 10 designed to operate on any smooth or flat surface. The rods are positioned in such a way that their second segments 12 always remain parallel to each other and perpendicular to the face of the swimming pool where the entire structure is fixed. These second segments 12 support, in the space between them, the opaque fabric 11 that offers protection against sunlight.

Therefore, it must be understood that the tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas and their parts and components described herewith are just some of the modalities and examples of situations that could occur, the real scope of protection of the invention is defined in the claims. 

1. Tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas characterized by having a structure composed of tubular rods (9) that, when fitted and threaded together, form long, articulated and removable rods (3), in whose lower ends (7) are coupled, at least, one suction cup (10) for each rod (3); the suction cups (10) are capable of operating in submerged or dry conditions and are also capable of attaching the entire structure of the tent to one or more internal faces of a swimming pool.
 2. Tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas according to claim 1, characterized by having a structure of customizable size according to the number of tubular rods (9) comprised by each of the rods (3).
 3. Tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas according to claim 2, characterized by having a dome-shaped structure composed of four large articulated and flexed arc shaped rods (3), whose upper ends are joined by a fixing element forming the top of the dome (1); said dome top (1) comprising a flexible, opaque fabric (2); the other four lower ends (7) are fixed to the side walls of a swimming pool using suction cups (10), forming the horizontal base of the structure.
 4. Tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the four lower ends of the rods (7) are introduced directly into the ground without the presence of suction cups; a ring (4) is attached to each of the lower ends to which an end of an elastic (5) is attached, the second end of which is attached to the fabric (2) covering, the structure; the base of this structure is delimited by an X-shaped ribbon (8), the four ends of which have at least one eyelet (6) each, which are passed through each one of the lower ends (7) of the four rods (3).
 5. Tent for swimming pools and outdoor areas according to claim 1, characterized by comprising two L-shaped rods, each with two segments, a first segment (13) and a second segment (12), the first and the second segment of each rod being joined at an interface at 90 degrees (15) with each other; the rods are joined in their first segments (13) by a pivot point (14), which allows the rotation of one rod in relation to the other in a plane parallel to the internal face of the swimming pool; the second segments (12) are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the internal face of the swimming pool; the space between the second segments houses a flexible and opaque fabric (11); the angularity between the two first segments (13) can be adjusted; each first segment (13) comprising a lower end (16) disposed in the opposite direction to the interface with the second segment, said lower end (16) is each inserted in at least one suction cup (10) capable of operating in dry conditions or submerged way. 